Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathleen Witek. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kathleen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One trend that seems tailor-made for Garden District STL is the “coastal grandmother” aesthetic. Since this trend embraces the coastal vibes of recipes and cooking, cozy interiors, and classic styles it’s the perfect match for the floral linens from April Cornell, the locally made bath products, and the delicious tea and beautiful teaware you’ll find at Garden District STL.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a southerner that fell in love with Saint Louis back in the 1990’s. I worked in corporate retail for over 30 years all over the Southeast US. Through my career, I discovered that I excel in a boutique environment where customers get a truly personal experience. As the corporate retail landscape continues to shift to big box and online, it seemed like the perfect time to utilize my experience in retail management in a space that celebrates the things that makes me happy. You’ll find plants & gardening, tea & teaware (& now local coffee!), linens & housewares, & so much more here at Garden District STL!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Since I’ve been in retail for multiple decades, I thought that every time I learned about a new type of product or a new software system, I was really challenging myself. That was until the corporate tea chain that I was working for announced they were closing and I pivoted to the sister coffee chain ( think Seattle). I am so grateful that they embraced those of us from the tea boutique side. I was brimming with excitement to learn all of the inner workings of a fast-paced coffee shop- the goal was to get customers out in 30 seconds! I went through the food management certification process, I learned how to be a barista-SO MANY recipes to memorize, and I was a PRO at the drive-thru window. It was the biggest professional challenge that I had ever experienced. After 2 years, my husband and I were on vacation in New Orleans (our favorite place in case you didn’t catch the shop’s name) and I couldn’t immerse myself and be present on our trip. That’s when I realized that I had been so focused on meeting the challenge of a new career, that I lost myself and my passion. With the support of my husband, I decided to break out onto my own knowing that I have the strength to meet new challenges.

Any advice for managing a team?

In all of my years of managing people, I can say that there is no ONE thing that will do the trick. I know that this seems like a given, but we all rely on past success. This is great! It’s part of learning and gaining experience, but it’s super easy to forget that each situation is unique, so be flexible. Kindness and empathy are my guide posts. I strive to create the type of working environment that appeals to me, but I frequently ask for input from my team.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @gardendistrictstl
• Facebook: @gardendistrictstl
• Yelp: Garden District STL

Image Credits
Kathleen Witek